The draft Open Coast Coastal Management Program is now on exhibition, giving the community a final chance to review and provide feedback.

Community input has helped shape the Open Coast Coastal Management Program to reflect local values and priorities.

The draft OC‑CMP was on public exhibition from 14 July to 25 August 2025, allowing the community and stakeholders to review the proposed strategies and provide feedback.

The proposed changes to the CMP are based on this feedback.

To share your feedback on the changes to the Open Coast Coastal Management Program, you can:

• Complete the online submission form (below)
• Email: engagement@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au
• Write to Council: PO Box 20, Wyong NSW 2259

Click through the tabs below to learn more about the CMP and engagement process, including what we heard last year.

• Feedback sought via online survey, attending a Council led drop-in session and through emailing or written submission to Council.
• Draft OC-CMP exhibition period from 14 July to 25 August 2025.
• Total of 240 community submissions received including 78 online survey responses, 21 email submissions, and 141 hard copy responses.
• Submissions received from State Government stakeholders NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water (DCCEEW) and Crown Lands.
• Total of 401 resident phone survey interviews conducted by research company Micromax from 19 November to 1 December 2025.

Online survey results indicated a high level of support for most of the thirty-eight CMP management actions. Particularly those focused on environmental protection, hazard mitigation, and public amenity. The two items which received ‘low support’ and ‘unsupported’ rating were actions proposed for Wamberal Beach, WB01 and WB02 respectively.

Many hard copy submissions expressed strong opposition to the three Development Applications (DAs) for coastal protection works at Wamberal, with a significant portion focusing on the DAs themselves rather than the actions proposed within the CMP. Noting that the private DAs are considered separately and independently under the NSW planning pathway.

• 80% of residents committed ‘Very important’ for ‘Ensuring responsible and efficient spending of community funds by Council’.
• 69% of residents committed ' very important’ for ‘Protecting the natural environment’
• 68% committed “important’ for ‘Allowing residents the opportunity to legally protect their homes and properties from weather-related events
• 58% selected ‘We should focus on protecting communities and infrastructure from the impacts of natural coastal events…’, whereas 37% selected ‘We should allow the natural coastal environment to take its own course…’
• Survey, respondents were asked about their level of support four beach-related factors.Residents were generally supportive of all four attributes.However, based on commitment to the top code, 72% were ‘very supportive’ of ‘Protection of the coastal environment’, whereas only 43% were ‘very supportive’ of ‘Protecting infrastructure’
• 65% of residents committed ‘very important’ for ‘Maintaining access to public spaces for recreation’.
• ‘Supporting local businesses and encouraging tourism’ generated a relatively low 56% of ‘very important’ selections
• When asked about support for constructing a coordinated seawall at Wamberal Beach, 49% of residents committed to the top two boxes (supportive or very supportive) – and a total of 70% were at least somewhat supportive.
• Approximately one in four (27%) residents are not very/not at all supportive, while 4% are unsure.

The Coastal Management Program Process:
Stage One – Scoping Study

The Stage One Scoping Study for the Open Coast and Coastal Lagoons CMP was completed in August 2021 and reviewed by Central Coast Council and NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) staff.

This foundational study:

• Defined the geographical scope of the CMP, covering approximately 80 km of open coastline
• Identified key coastal management issues including erosion, inundation, recreational pressure, and habitat degradation
• Assessed ecological, social, cultural, and economic values of the open coast
• Reviewed existing coastal protection structures and historical management responses
• Identified knowledge gaps and recommended targeted technical studies for Stage 2
• Provided a forward program for the remaining CMP stages

The study also consolidated previous planning efforts and established a framework for integrating community values, scientific evidence, and legislative requirements into future coastal management.

📄 View the Scoping Study

Stage Two – Technical Studies

Stage Two of the Open Coast CMP focused on addressing key knowledge gaps identified in the Scoping Study. Central Coast Council was awarded a $327,000 Coast and Estuary Grant from the NSW Government to support the delivery of these studies.

Completed Studies:

• Social and Recreational Use Study
  This study assessed how the community uses the open coast for recreation and evaluated the condition and distribution of recreational infrastructure. It provided a comprehensive set of recommendations to inform future planning and investment.
• Coastal Hazard Study
  A detailed and data-driven assessment of regional and local coastal processes across the Central Coast. This study:
  • Analysed the coastal sand budget
  • Updated previous hazard assessments using contemporary data and a consistent methodology
  • Identified risks to public safety, infrastructure, land, cultural heritage, ecosystems, and recreational amenity
  • Provided a scientific foundation for understanding current and future coastal vulnerability

These studies are now being used to inform the development of management options in Stage 3.

Stage Three – Options Assessment

Stage Three focuses on identifying and evaluating management options based on the findings from Stage Two and community input. This stage includes:

• Reviewing risks to public safety, infrastructure, ecosystems, and recreational amenity
• Developing a long list of potential management actions
• Applying a multi-criteria analysis (MCA) to assess the feasibility, effectiveness, and alignment of each option with community values and legislative objectives
• Prioritising actions for inclusion in the draft CMP

This process is informed by:

• Technical studies
• Community and stakeholder feedback
• Legislative and policy frameworks
• Coastal hazard risk assessments

The Stage Three Options Assessment Report is a refined set of recommended actions that will form the basis of the draft CMP.

Stage Four – Finalisation and Certification

The Open Coast CMP is currently in Stage Four, where the Draft CMP is on public exhibition. This stage includes:

• Preparing the draft CMP document, including:
  • Management objectives
  • Prioritised actions
  • Implementation schedules
  • Monitoring and evaluation frameworks
• Public exhibition of the draft CMP
• Collecting and incorporating community and stakeholder feedback
• Submitting the final CMP to the NSW Minister for the Environment for certification

Certification ensures the CMP meets the requirements of the Coastal Management Act 2016 and reflects best practice in coastal planning.

Stage Five – Implementation

Once certified, the CMP will guide the coordinated management of the Central Coast’s open coast over the next 10 years. Implementation will be integrated into Council’s Integrated Planning and Reporting (IP&R) framework and include:

• On-ground works such as dune restoration, access upgrades, and hazard mitigation
• Ongoing monitoring of coastal processes, infrastructure, and environmental health
• Community education and engagement programs
• Collaboration with state agencies and neighbouring councils

Community Engagement

Community engagement has played a vital role in shaping the Open Coast Coastal Management Program. It ensures that the values, concerns, and lived experiences of the Central Coast community are reflected in the planning and management of our coastline.

All engagement activities are guided by the Open Coast and Coastal Lagoons Community and Stakeholder Engagement Strategy, which outlines a structured, inclusive, and transparent approach to engagement across all stages of the CMP.

Stage One Engagement

Between 30 March and 15 June 2021, Council conducted region-wide engagement to inform the Stage One Scoping Study. Activities included:

• An online survey
• Pop-up information stalls
• Key interest focus groups
• A dedicated project webpage

📄 View the Phase One Survey Report

Stage Two & Three Engagement

In 2024, Council undertook targeted engagement to support the development of management options for the CMP. This included:

• Online feedback opportunities
• Community workshops and drop-in sessions
• Stakeholder meetings
• Feedback on the long list of proposed management actions

📄 View the Stage 2/3 Consultation Report

🗺️ Explore the map and community comments

Stage 4 Engagement

The Draft Open Coast Coastal Management Program (CMP) was on public exhibition for 42 days, closing 25 August 2025. We are currently compiling all the community feedback and will provide an engagement report shortly. Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to Have Your Say.